I have a friend in a really difficult ethical bind right now, and I thought I’d share the story (with everything kept nice and anonymous, so there are no consequences).

The issue is this: my friend’s sister is in trouble. She’s been trouble, period, for a long time now. She sells drugs, hangs out with some really bad people. I don’t know what happened to her (I’ve heard hints from my friend that something bad occurred in her childhood, but I don’t know more than the hints), but she’s gone way off in the wrong direction. Their family is upper middle class, with a fancy McMansion in the suburbs. My friend is studying to be a lawyer (which makes this story all the crazier). His older brother is already a doctor (which will come into play in a moment). The sister, though, she dropped out of school, and she’s selling drugs around their little suburban town. Seems to me she wanted to get caught, but, well, I’ll let you all decide.

So, she did get caught, his sister. A few months ago, she was arrested for selling her brother’s (the doctor) prescription sheets. The opioid crisis is big business, especially if you can get a doctor’s prescription booklet. Imagine how much one of those sheets can be worth. Well, my friend’s sister knows. I stay out of that stuff.

She got caught. I don’t know if she stole the prescriptions from her brother outright or if he gave them to her. He’s always been easier on her than the others, but he also claims now (and seems genuinely upset about it) that she stole them from his office. I don’t know. His issues are not the main concern of this post.

The concern is my friend. Because he knows where his sister keeps an extra stash of drugs (he thinks cocaine). He has not come forward with this information to the cops, but he has been called into the prosecutor’s office next week, and he doesn’t know what to do.

Obviously, he doesn’t want to perjure himself, but he also doesn’t want to add years to the sentence his sister is going to get. It’s her first offense. If she claims ignorance or some other extenuating circumstances, maybe she’ll get by with a light sentence and be out in a couple years (assuming there are no mandatory minimums, I don’t know). If my friend tells the prosecutor about the drugs, though, it’ll get really bad for her.

So, what should he do? If he doesn’t come forward, he may end up perjuring himself. He’d also be going against his moral code, which has always been strict honesty with the law. The guy doesn’t even take all his deductibles on his taxes. He’s strict about that stuff, I’m telling you. But can he sell out his sister?

The interview is in three days, and he doesn’t know what he’s going to do. I suggested getting rid of the drugs, but if the police already know, he’d be in even more trouble. At this point, it’s going to be unpleasant, no matter what he does. But what do you all reckon he should do?

Work environment is a major component of your overall job satisfaction. This can greatly affect whether you enjoy coming to work every day or you dread every moment of it. Whether you like the work you are doing or not, everyone has the right to a work environment in which they feel comfortable and safe. This is not possible if you are suffering from sexual harassment in the workplace. Far too many people across the nation, women and men both, report experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace at one time or another. This behavior consists of any unwanted sexual interactions, whether physical or verbal. These kinds of situations not only make a work environment uncomfortable and unwelcoming, but they can also make it feel unsafe. The historic New York Hotel, The Plaza, has recently come under scrutiny after several reports of sexual harassment. The New York Post wrote an article describing the severity of these allegations.

Six employees of the Plaza Hotel have joined together to file a lawsuit against the hotel for sexual harassment in the workplace. All of these employees are women, who either work with the hotel currently or have worked for them in the past. They all report experiencing a number of sexual advances from their coworkers and their superiors. As many of the perpetrators are their superiors, these women have found it difficult to report these behaviors. Additionally, when they have made reports, the managers have not taken the reports seriously or have used them as an excuse to shame these women. A current employee, Dana Lewis, reports that it is nearly unbearable to work in this environment and details several of the disturbing encounters that she has had while working at the Plaza. The lawsuit that the six employees have filed is filled with 50 pages of complaints and examples of sexual harassment that these women have experienced.

For many people, this lawsuit has been a wake-up call about the severity of sexual harassment across the United States. The Plaza Hotel is seen as a historic figure of class and sophistication, and yet it is plagued by sexual harassment in the workplace. These women have made a brave choice to publicize their experiences and work to put an end to this harmful work environment. If there are six women already willing to speak out, we can only imagine the number of women who have remained silent about their mistreatment while working at this hotel. Hopefully, this lawsuit will help put an end to these disgusting practices.

Unfortunately, many people do not know what legal steps they can take if they are experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace. However, many labor and employment lawyers specialize in working with individuals who have suffered from harassment or abuse in their work environment. They can not only help explain your rights, but they can work with you to file a lawsuit against the individuals responsible. With this information at hand, hopefully many more people will take steps against sexual harassment in their workplace

Before even having the idea of putting your loved one in a nursing home, you should take into consideration one of nursing homes’ primary problems – the possibility of their patients being abused.

According to the website of Lawyer Ali Mokaram, a negligent person that has caused an injury to another can be held accountable, under the legal concept personal injury. This legal concept encompasses nursing home abuse and how nursing home management and staff can be brought to court for any negligent act that has resulted into the injury of your loved one.

Preventing

Going to court to get justice is a good idea, but preventing nursing home abuse before it even happens is definitely better. There are some things you can do to avoid putting your loved one in a terrible situation where he can experience physical, emotional, and even sexual abuse.

Check the nursing home first, to determine whether it has the right facilities to accommodate your loved one or not. Check the management, to know whether it has enough staff to cater to the number of residents.

But what do these things have to do with abuse? The lack of facilities and staff members can result into employee incompetence and negligence – either can lead to hotheadedness and eventually abuse.

Stopping

If you have not properly checked the nursing home’s status and have placed your loved one there, you have a reason to worry. This is especially true if the nursing home happen to not have the right facilities and number of staff, because your loved one may experience abuse.

The worse part is, if your loved one is too limited physically, he may not be able to tell you about his horrible situation, so it is solely your responsibility to stop the abuse.

But how will you know that your loved one is experiencing abuse? You should look at the signs, such as unexplained wounds. These wounds are usually on body parts that are restrained, like the wrists. Another sign is behavioral changes, such as depression, social withdrawal, and sudden fear every time a particular staff or resident is nearby.

When someone suddenly dies due to the fault of another person, the people they leave behind has the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the people responsible for the death of their loved one. Filing such kind of case is an entirely new concept. Common law did not allow the relatives of the deceased to recover damages from wrongful death. However, that has changed as every state now has some kind of wrongful death law.

According to the website of Abel Law Firm, wrongful death results to overwhelming grief, shock, and anxiety for the surviving family members. A wrongful death lawsuit involves all kinds of fatal accidents from a simple car accident to medical malpractice and product liability. Individuals, businesses, and government agencies can be held liable for their negligence or for their intentional acts.

Depending on the state, a wrongful death claim can be filed by a representative on behalf of the survivors. In legal parlance, they are called as the “real parties in interest.” They may be any of the following:

Immediate family members. It could be the spouse or children as well as parents of unmarried children.

Life partners, financial dependents, and putative spouses. In some states, the domestic or life partner, those who are financially dependent on the deceased, and a “putative spouse” (one who believes in good faith that they were married to the victim) can recover damages.

Distant family members. In some states, distant family members such as brothers, sisters, and grandparents can file for a wrongful death lawsuit.

Persons who will suffer financially. In some states, people who will suffer financially as a result of death can file a wrongful death action.

Damages that can be collected from a wrongful death claim include the pre-death pain and suffering of the deceased, the medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, the deceased person’s expected income, loss of inheritance, the value of services the deceased would have provided.

Unfortunately, there are some people who will try to separate themselves from a horrid event just to not take the blame. This is an unforgiving time with a culture that is comfortable with zero accountability, so long as they don’t get caught—even if the fault is primarily due to them. The same can be said for businesses and corporations – trucking companies are no exception. Not all trucking companies can or will do this but there is power in negligence—great and terribly power that could change lives for the worse.

So, say that you were injured due to a truck accident. Did you know that you might be owed better than what you are initially offered?

According to the website of the lawyers with Williams Kherkher, a truck accident’s damages could cost up to almost $60,000. This is not inclusive, of course, to the long lasting impact and the expenses that it could cost an individual victim or survivor (as the adage saying goes, victims have graves and survivors have scars).

If the victim is without legal representation when holding a trucking company liable for the injuries sustained then it is likely that they might be offered a cash payout that may, at first, seem decent enough when, in reality, the victims may be owed better for the personal injury that they suffer. The initial offer may be enough to cover the basic medical expenses but there are also the lost wages to consider and the recompense necessary for the trauma experienced at the peril of a truck accident.

You are well within your rights to demand for compensation in circumstances like this, should you have been the unfortunate innocent involved with a truck accident.

It is unsurprising in case you are just today suspecting that an immediate family member and also require died sometime before due to medical neglect. Most people have an ingrained trust in health care specialists about the energy of this occupation alone. This really is mostly due to the undeniable fact that they’ve been qualified to care for the wellness of men and women, as well as for physicians, their sworn promise to “do no harm.” While there’s frequently no intention for these health specialists to accomplish damage, once they neglect to take due attention, they’re responsible for whichever occurs.

Over 200,000 people in the US expire every year from neglect, that is only 31% of most medical cases. By classification, this is a case of death. In some cases, medical negligence cases end up in the judgment or negotiation for their survivors or the plaintiff. Medical negligence payouts happen every 43 units. As it pertains to providing a medical malpractice to a prosperous finish for that file nevertheless, this could provide a false impression of ease. The fact remains, only about 21% of plaintiffs overcome in such cases.

One of the reasons for this is that some situations exceed limits for that state’s law. A Houston personal injury lawyer would probably point out that a would-be client’s case must be filed within three years after the event or one year after discovery, whichever comes first. Failure to report a medical malpractice match for wrongful death within the express-explained statute of limits typically leads to a dismissal of the case. It is a technicality, but sadly, it is a to finding payment for a healthcare provider’s very authentic club wrongful act.

You must work quickly if you suspect medical negligence contributed towards the death of an immediate member of the family. Before it is too late consult with a personal injury attorney in your state.

Dogs are well-loved pets in America. Thanks to their lovely dispositions, they’re often considered as man’s best friend. They are often friendly and playfully, proving to be worthwhile companions for families across the country. There are times, however, when dogs feel provoked or threatened and start to attack.

Unfortunately, dog bites are a common occurrence all over the country. According to the non-profit organization Dogs Bite, about 1,000 Americans require medical attention for a dog bite injury. According to their research, these injuries are commonly caused by aggressive dog breeds such as pit bulls, rottweilers, and mastiffs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also pointed out that most dog bite victims are children.

Children are often unaware of how to read a dog’s body language and reactions. As they interact, children might not be mindful of how the dog perceives their attempt to pet and play. As such, they might inadvertently provoke the dog into a more aggressive stance. Despite these dangers, children can still play and interact with dogs without the threat of risk. Through proper supervision and education, children can enjoy the company of a dog without the looming possibility of an attack.

Aside from proper supervision, parents should educate their kids about precautions they can take when they are around or interacting with dogs. The following are just a few tips suggested by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals:

Avoid interacting or approaching a dog that is eating, sleeping, chewing a toy, or nursing puppies. Dogs are easily startled during these situations. They might feel threatened enough to attack.

Never approach a dog that is already threatened or scared. You can tell if a dog is scared if its ears are flattened, the body is hunched and its tail is tucked between hind legs. Meanwhile, a dog’s ears will usually pull back if it feels threatened. It will also wrinkle its muzzle, show its teeth, and start to growl.

Never pet a stranger’s dog without permission. If the dog’s owner gives the okay signal, allow the dog to sniff a closed hand first before petting the top of its head.

Never approach a dog that is off its leash, or try to pet a dog that is behind a fence or inside a car.

Never pet a stray dog and avoid making eye contact with it. Stand still until the dog loses interest and moves away.

Dogs can be unpredictable creatures. Even the sweetest tempered dog might suddenly feel threatened enough to attack. Parents who want to encourage significant bonds between children and their pets should be mindful of possible risks and do what they can to prevent any accidents from happening.

Mesothelioma is a dangerous and life-threatening disease caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos. There are four types of mesothelioma varying in affected areas of the body and symptoms.

The first type of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma and is the most common type, affecting 75 percent of mesothelioma patients. This type of mesothelioma develops in the mesothelial lining of the lungs, known as the pleura. Symptoms include shortness of breath, dry cough, chest pain, and difficulty swallowing. However, these symptoms can take years to develop and may be confused for other illnesses. Treatments for this type of mesothelioma can vary based on the stage of the cancer. If found in the early stages, curative surgery may be an option for patients. Unfortunately, if diagnosed too late, pleural mesothelioma is impossible to cure and treatments are used to decrease pain and improve quality of life including chemotherapy and radiation.

The second most common type of mesothelioma is peritoneal mesothelioma and affects the mesothelial lining of the abdomen also known as the peritoneum. Symptoms include abdominal pain, swelling, weight loss, and nausea. Like pleural mesothelioma, treatment can vary based on the stage at which the cancer has progressed. This type of mesothelioma is the quickest to spread to other areas of the body so heated chemotherapy has been shown to be effective.

The rarest types of mesothelioma are pericardial mesothelioma and testicular mesothelioma. Pericardial mesothelioma occurs when fluid builds up in the spaces between the layers of the pericardium or exterior lining of the heart. These symptoms include irregular heartbeat, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. It is nearly impossible to treat because the tumors reside so close to the heart so treatment options are available to improve life quality and decrease pain. Testicular mesothelioma is the rarest form of mesothelioma and affects the tunica vaginalis or the lining of the testes. It is so rare that doctors are not completely sure of what the symptoms are, although some patients undergo surgery to have parts of all of the teste removed.

To learn more about mesothelioma and options if you were unknowingly exposed to asbestos, click here.

Polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs have long been known as highly toxic substances. In 1979, the United States federal government issued a ban on the use and manufacture of the synthetic chemical compounds that were widely used as industrial insulators and cooling agents for most of the 20th century. At that time, PCBs were solely manufactured in America by a company called Monsanto and were found to have been worth around $22 million in yearly sales. As a result, Monsanto enjoyed an almost four decade run as a giant in the chemical industry. However, this monopoly came to an abrupt end when concerns about health risks and environmental effects found its way into public discourse.

From the 1940s until the late 1970s, Monsanto PCBs were produced in a chemical plant located at the west side of Anniston, City Alabama. In that time, several Anniston creeks were used as a dumping ground for chemical waste from the production of PCBs. At first, Monsanto didn’t seem to have been aware of the negative effects caused by the toxic chemical compounds. However, internal reports and communications show that Monsanto quickly became informed of the pollution they were causing. As pointed out by an expose published by The Washington Post, Monsanto has been aware of the devastating environmental effects caused by PCBs as early as 1966, when they hired a group of scientists to examine one of the creeks contaminated by the chemicals. The results regarding Snow Creek were as follows: “All 25 fish lost equilibrium and turned on their sides in 10 seconds and all were dead in 3 1/2 minutes”. Despite this knowledge, Monsanto continued to produce PCBs until two years before the government imposed ban.

Today, the City of Anniston continues to feel the devastating effects of PCB contamination. Aside from the creeks that were originally used by Monsanto as toxic waste dumping grounds, the chemicals also spread to and contaminated other water sources as the years went by. More than 3 decades later, residents of Anniston are struggling with risks associated with PCB exposure such as cancer, liver damage, and issues with the reproductive, nervous, endocrine, and immune systems.

When someone operating a vehicle causes another’s death as a result of reckless driving, vehicular manslaughter has been committed. Ways in which to commit vehicular manslaughter, defenses for the accused, and penalties for the committed are straightforward to encompass all situations.

Driving with criminal negligence is when the driver is being extremely reckless, thus putting other drivers at risk of death. Instances of this include drunk driving, driving on the wrong side of the road, traveling high above the speed limit, or driving under the influence of drugs. Overall, if traffic violations have been committed when the driver is in complete disregard for human life, they can be charged with vehicular manslaughter.

If accused of vehicular manslaughter, the defendant can argue against their accusation. Such defenses include are citing a lack of incriminating evidence, the evidence was taken in discordance with the defendant’s constitutional rights, or that there was an alternate event that caused the death. In cases of alternate events, the defendant must prove that the event was out of their control.

Committing vehicular manslaughter can be a misdemeanor or felony. State laws outline different penalties for this crime, but they generally consist of fines and jail time. Typically, if the driver is operating the vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, their case will result in more severe punishment.

Click here to read more about how to build a defense against a vehicular manslaughter charge. If committed, this kind of charge can have a serious on a person’s life, however taking the proper steps in fighting against it can diminish negative consequences.